கரிசல் நிலத்தின் சூழலியல் பிரக்ஞை: சோ. தர்மன் சிறுகதைகளின் பன்முக வாசிப்பு

Abstract

In the landscape of modern Tamil literature, Cho. Dharman stands out as one of the most prominent figures for meticulously recording the authentic nature and evolving facets of the Karisal (black soil) region. His short stories, particularly those included in the collection Neerpazhi (Water Guilt/Defilement), focus on the bond between humans and nature, as well as the fissures caused in this bond by modernization. This article extensively analyzes Cho. Dharman's works through the lens of Ecocriticism and the Sangam-era Thinai (landscape-based) literary theory. It explores issues such as the pollution of water bodies due to industrial waste, the loss of habitat faced by birds due to deforestation and urbanization, and the socio-economic changes resulting from the abandonment of traditional millet farming. Furthermore, through statistical data and tables, it examines the decline in Tamil Nadu's water bodies and agricultural environment. This article demonstrates that Dharman’s stories are not merely fiction, but serve as an ecological death warrant for a specific landscape.